Music Lesson

 Opining (absent faith)

on the merits of a myth,

I cried before my child

on the theme of Simple Gifts.

Too old to dance, I think,

there are two Shakers left alive,

too old to dance, I think,

and tired tears are in my eyes;

I stayed up half the night

and half is never quite enough

and now I'm living daily

on the wrong side of the dawn

but not receiving orbs

from God or singing blessed songs.

I am not living simply,

I am not living free. 

I am turning,

turning turning round, 

and not yet rounding right,

I have no faith I am not old

and wise or young and wise

or striving, just turning turning

turning but not bending towards delight.